THE ATTIC GENIUS
Blog
Homeowners: Pro Attic Fixes After a Blower Door Test, Backed by DOE
Interpret CFM50 and ACH50, find the attic bypasses driving leakage, and follow sealing steps tested by practitioners and backed by DOE, then verify with a…
Homeowners: $400–$500 Caps and Invoice Rules for Nicor Rebates
2026 Nicor rebate caps (attic near $400, air sealing around $500), instant checkout discount rules, and the exact invoice items homeowners must submit.
Garage 10–15°F Hotter? 3 Steps for Homeowners: Ventilate, Shade, Seal
Homeowners: cool a garage 10–15°F hotter with a priority plan. Use no cost ventilation and shading first, then add insulation or call a pro.
Seal Your Attic First to Stop Ice Dams, Insulate to R30 for Homeowners
Seal attic air leaks first, add insulation to R30+, and balance soffit to ridge vents. See inspection signs and the diagnostics to demand.
Seal Seams First: Crawl Space Vapor Barrier Plan for Homeowners
An actionable homeowner plan for crawl space vapor barriers: why seam quality outranks thickness, how to install a 10–20 mil floor barrier, and when to…
Homeowners: Save $500–$9,000 on Attic Bat Guano Cleanup, DIY vs Pros
Safety-first attic advice for homeowners: spot bat guano, when DIY is safe, the histoplasmosis risk, and typical cleanup and restoration costs.
Stop Attic Duct Sweating, Homeowners: Dry, Seal, Insulate to R-8, Then Verify
A code-aware homeowner guide to stopping attic duct condensation. Follow the correct order—dry, seal, insulate to R-8, then verify. Avoid tape-over quick…
Chicago Ice Dams: Seal Attic Air Leaks, Act in the First 48 Hours
Chicago homeowners: stop ice dams safely. Learn the immediate 48 hour actions, when to call a pro, and how attic air sealing, insulation, and balanced…
20–40°F Hotter? Homeowners’ Plan to Fix a Hot Attic Without Reroofing
Homeowners: balance ventilation, seal attic air leaks, and add insulation before costly reroofing. Learn when spray-foam (sealed) attics can raise…
Homeowners: Pin Down Attic Scratching Tonight with a Simple Sound Log
Hear attic scratching? Start a sound log tonight: note times, photograph signs, watch for wiring damage, and call a pro if you spot red flags.
Raccoon Attic Cleanup: Homeowner Costs $3,000–$7,200 & HEPA Steps
Homeowner workflow for safe raccoon attic cleanup: HEPA removal, PPE rated for Baylisascaris risk, photo documentation, sealing, and typical costs…
Homeowners: Humanely Remove a Squirrel Nest and Repair Your Attic
Humanely evict a squirrel nest with a one-way exclusion, wait 48–72 hours, then inspect wiring, replace contaminated insulation, and permanently seal the…












